{"id":12,"date":"2013-05-09T01:05:53","date_gmt":"2013-05-09T01:05:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/handbook\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2015-01-12T16:35:26","modified_gmt":"2015-01-12T21:35:26","slug":"understanding-labels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/handbook\/table-of-contents\/how-to-avoid-food-allergens\/understanding-labels\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Labels"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"How<\/a>How to Read an Ingredient Label for Food Allergies<\/a><\/strong>\n

Brief slideshow with audio on how to read an ingredient label, and reviews the Food Allergy Labeling Law in the US<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

Reading labels is important for managing food allergies.\u00a0 It is not possible to know if an allergen is in a food just by looking at it.\u00a0 Allergens can be found in places that you don\u2019t normally expect to find them.\u00a0 Also, food companies may change ingredients without telling consumers.\u00a0 This is why it is so important for you and your child (at the right age) to read labels before eating a food.<\/p>\n

Safety tips for reading labels<\/h1>\n
\"Label<\/a>Label Reading Handout<\/a><\/strong>\n

Two page handout reviewing essentials of how to read a label.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Read the label<\/strong> before serving a food even if it has been \u201csafe\u201d in the past.\u00a0 Remember that ingredients can change without notice.<\/li>\n

Read ingredient lists carefully <\/strong>from start to finish.\u00a0 Food companies do not have to make allergens stand out in any way (e.g. bolding<\/b>, italicizing<\/i>, or underlining<\/span> the print).<\/p>\n

Do not buy<\/strong> a packaged food product that does not have an ingredient label.<\/p>\n

If you are not sure<\/strong> about a product, call the company to find out if it contains an allergen.<\/p>\n

Do not buy food from bulk bins<\/strong> even if they have labels on the bins.\u00a0 Shoppers may have used the same scoops in different bins, and this can cause cross-contamination.<\/p>\n

Labelling laws do not cover certain products.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Read labels on non-food products such as vitamins, skin creams and pet food.\u00a0 These can contain food allergens.\u00a0 Other examples are modeling clay which may contain wheat, and finger paint, which may contain egg.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

Do not eat food with precautionary or advisory statements<\/strong> such as a \u201cmay contain\u201d, \u201cprocessed in a facility\u2026\u201d or \u201cmade in a factory that also processes\u201d.\u00a0 Do not try to guess whether there is a risk based on the type of statement used, even if you have had the product before.\u00a0 Researchers have found that some products with these statements actually contain enough allergen to cause an allergic reaction.12<\/sup><\/p>\n

Be cautious of imported products<\/strong> because food labelling regulations vary by country.<\/p>\n

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\"PrecautionaryFood companies choose when to use precautionary statements. They are not required by law to do this.<\/b> They can also choose when to put “allergen-free” claims such as “peanut-free” or “milk-free” on packages.<\/div>\n

Labelling laws may change so check your country\u2019s government website for the most recent regulations.<\/p>\n